Latest and fastest way I found to bypass Windows 11 OOBE, no need to run ipconfig /release or setup a Microsoft account.
EDIT:
Even with the latest Windows 11 updates THIS METHOD IS STILL THE BEST!!
Watch this in action: https://youtu.be/MXrYXH-ueIQ
Use a command prompt to create a local account during OOBE and then skip it completely:
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SHIFT + F10 (or SHIFT + FN + F10 on some Dell PC's)
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net.exe user 'username' 'password' /add *I recommend entering a password but it is optional*
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net.exe localgroup Administrators 'username' /add
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cd oobe
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msoobe.exe && shutdown.exe -r
I’m doing a data transfer at work today and I have to bypass the create you’re account on windows and I can’t seem to run oobe\bypassnro, it’s comes back saying “not recognized externally or internally”
More specifically “ ‘oobe\ is not recognized as an internal or external command”
Videos
I have a p1gen4. I have reset pc and am completing windows 11 setup like a new pc. And the “let’s connect you to a network” screen I am entering command prompt “oobe\bypassnro.cmd” and the computer restarts. It takes me back to the network connection screen with no option to continue without internet. I have tried many times and keep restarting to the same screen.
Reviewing internet advice It seems like it should restart and go back to language screen and then give me an option to continue without internet. Why isn’t this working? Any ideas? Was this option removed? Is there any other way to continue and creat a local account only?
I just had trouble with this on a Lenovo laptop I got. I’m just gonna get straight on with it
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Press shift + f10 or fn + shift + f10 (don’t leave hear me out)
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Then for a split second you should see the blue mouse loading circle and nothing happens, next do Windows + R
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Put in “ms-settings:” then go to system, then recovery, click recovery mode. Then restart now
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Go to trouble shoot, advanced options and then startup options, click restart
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Click 7 (disable digital signature enforcement*) on your keyboard when you see a bunch of options
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You should be back at setup, do shift + f10 again, this time CMD should pop up. Put in oobe\bypassnro
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After restart, open run (Windows + R) put in ipconfig /release and continue with setup
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If anything happens like the sign in menu pops up then do the last step before this one (ipconfig /release) and then press the little arrow in the corner to go back a page and it should bring you to choose a name for the local account.
Explanation: with Windows 11 S Mode you can only run Microsoft verified apps, oobe/bypassnro.cmd isn’t signed by Microsoft so in this case isn’t Microsoft verified. CMD is also disabled and in order to get into CMD we can use the “disable digital signature enforcement” in the advanced startup which will ignore the rules set in place for S Mode and open CMD.
*Keep in mind that disabling signatures will be temporary until a restart happens
You know what even crazier? I’m literally 13 and did this. I couldn’t find a tutorial anywhere. Consider this a new bypass for S Mode if you want a local account.
So Windows 11 seems to have this cat and mouse game with Microsoft outrageously forcing people to sign in with a Microsoft account instead of using a personal/local account. Previously you could use the OOBE/bypassnro command but it doesn't work on some systems so the '[email protected]' and incorrect password should work but suddenly it's stopped, it used to direct you to create a local account instead but now it loops back. Is there a known workaround for April 2024? I really don't want to sign-in on a clean machine with a Microsoft account every single time. Thanks in advance
Edit: for above, the systems the command doesn’t seem to work on are those in S Mode where the command prompt may be disabled and also systems with Pro/Enterprise where they are remotely managed/provisioned where it will accept the command but ignore it and still force sign in.
Hi, I have two instances which require offline installations of windows 11.
One is at my family cottage. There’s no cell service, no internet, and no electricity. We have a gasoline generator that we use when we need power. I have a desktop that I bought secondhand that serves as a media centre for when we want to watch movies as a family. This thing is heavy, and huge. It’s a full ATX sized machine. I’m not lugging it into my car and to the city just to reinstall an OS if I ever have to. I also have zero interest in Linux. I’ve tried before, it’s not happening. I have a steam deck with windows. The penguin and I aren’t friends.
Secondly, I run a small 3D printing “farm” (though I feel like “garden” would be a more apt term). I have a windows 10 PC managing this system and it’s completely airgapped. Never been online once. I would like to update it to windows 11 as some of the programs I use intend to hastily drop W10 support, and I want to retain compatibility with them across all devices.
Not concerned with security as both systems will never see the internet. In addition, I’m not worried about physical attacks (direct access to the hardware) either as one is my cottage, the other is at home.
Now that Bypassnro is going the way of the dodo, how will we achieve offline installations of W11?
I just had trouble with this on a Lenovo laptop I got. I’m just gonna get straight on with it
Press shift + f10 or fn + shift + f10 (don’t leave hear me out)
Then for a split second you should see the blue mouse loading circle and nothing happens, next do Windows + R
Put in “ms-settings:” then go to system, then recovery, click recovery mode. Then restart now
Go to trouble shoot, advanced options and then startup options, click restart
Click 7 (disable digital signature enforcement*) on your keyboard when you see a bunch of options
You should be back at setup, do shift + f10 again, this time CMD should pop up. Put in oobe\bypassnro
After restart, open run (Windows + R) put in ipconfig /release and continue with setup
If anything happens like the sign in menu pops up then do the last step before this one (ipconfig /release) and then press the little arrow in the corner to go back a page and it should bring you to choose a name for the local account.
Explanation: with Windows 11 S Mode you can only run Microsoft verified apps, oobe/bypassnro.cmd isn’t signed by Microsoft so in this case isn’t Microsoft verified. CMD is also disabled and in order to get into CMD we can use the “disable digital signature enforcement” in the advanced startup which will ignore the rules set in place for S Mode and open CMD.
*Keep in mind that disabling signatures will be temporary until a restart happens
You know what even crazier? I’m literally 13 and did this. I couldn’t find a tutorial anywhere. Consider this a new bypass for S Mode if you want a local account.
Since according to AveYo (thanks for this) this is only temporarily integrated into Windows 11 by Microsoft, one can assume that this command will not work for much longer. I truly hope it remains.
oobe\bypassnro
Then you can reactivate the Internet connection and add a password to the account, as well as make all other settings.
Alternative Workaround that should remain feasible, more trouble than the simple above command:
If the Internet is disabled, you start the reinstallation of Windows 11. You get to the window: "Unfortunately you have lost the Internet connection". From here it starts. Replace "User Name" with whatever you wish to use for the account:
Press Shift + F10. The command prompt opens
net.exe user "User Name" /add
net.exe localgroup "Administrators" "User Name" /add
cd OOBE
msoobe.exe && shutdown.exe -r
Windows will now restart and start with the other settings until Windows 11 is installed correctly with a local account.
When logging in, "The user name or password is incorrect" now appears.
Simply press OK and select the right account at the bottom left of screen. You should have one for Administrator and one for whatever name you used as "User Name" above.
Lets hope the simple oobe\bypassnro stays, as I have used both methods, and the first is by far the easiest.
Regards,
[I edited this message to remove the unnecessary content at the top. Please refrain from the personal attacks. - Jason]
Great piece of info, will save it for future use
How do I set up a local account now?
So I built my first pc and it was time to set up. But when I was setting up the windows I came on this screen and I can't see any WiFi, I have a WiFi motherboard and have the antennas installed. Can anyone help please?
https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2025/03/new-windows-11-build-makes-mandatory-microsoft-account-sign-in-even-more-mandatory/
What a slap in the face for the sysadmins who have to setup machines all the time and use this. I personally use this all the time at work and it's really shitty they're removing it.
There is still workarounds where you can re-enable it with a registry key entry, but we don't really know if that'll get patched out as well.
Not classy Microsoft.
I finished building my new pc and I am ready to install Windows 11 the thing is I don't want to create an account and to bypass thus in 2023 you would Insert this small code and it would bypass having to make a Microsoft account, does this still work in 2025 or if not is there any other substitutes like taking a usb wifi dingle out like me or turning off wifi I would appreciate if someone could help